Moughanie and Jayasinghe join Westmeadows

Westmeadows has landed an experienced captain-coach and gun all-rounder as the club looks to remain a contender in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s north-west A1 competition.

The Warriors announced on Monday night that Tarek Moughanie had been appointed captain-coach for the next two seasons.

Moughanie comes to the club having spent the last six seasons with Greenvale Kangaroos’ Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior side. He was captain-coach of the Kangaroos for four seasons, before stepping back from the role the last two seasons.

Joining Moughanie at the Warriors is his Kangaroos’ team mate Chinthaka Jayasinghe.

Moughanie said the timing was right for him to move to the Warriors having previously spoken to the club about playing for them.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“I spoke to Westmeadows before I spoke to Greenvale six years ago. There was a coaching position at Greenvale and I thought it was the right decision.

“I have a good relationship with Westmeadows and after having two years off coaching I was ready to get involved again.

“I’m really good friends with Danny Law and he insisted I speak to the club. It went from there.”

Moughanie said one of the things that really attracted him to the Warriors was the youth coming through.

He highlighted Aaron Evans and Clayton Campbell, who both spent a season with Greenvale Premier Cricket, as players who could easily take the first step.

“While they have some really good senior players, they also have some really good quality youth.

“I know a couple in Aaron and Clayton.

“I want to build as many contributors as possible. Hopefully we can build a consistent side.”

Moughanie said he was thrilled to be able to play with Jayasinghe again. Jayasinghe scored two 70s in the Kangaroos senior division grand final loss to Yarraville Club.

“I heard he was talking to another club and said if you were looking to play elsewhere, I’d love to speak to you about playing at Westmeadows.

“He was happy to continue playing with me.”

Warriors’ president Jeff Hubbard said Jayasinghe is the perfect replacement for Praneeth Jayasundera, who was returning to Jacana.

“We’re disappointed PJ isn’t coming back so we were looking for someone of his ability. CJ was happy to come and we think he’ll flourish at this level.

As well as losing Jayasundera, former skipper Chanaka Welegedara and Tarique Jeffrey are heading elsewhere.

He said they were hopeful of retaining Sathpath Kamburugamuwa, but that would be dependent on visa approval.

Hubbard said having added Moughanie and Jayasinghe they would unlikely add anyone else unless they lost Kamburugamuwa.

He said they would like to promote some of their younger players.

“Tarek coached the VTCA under-21 team and is really good with younger players,” Hubbard said.

“Our seconds have won three grand finals in the last five years, so we’ve got depth. We have to test the depth and Tarek plans to do that.”